Looking to join a private golf club or live in a luxury golf course community in South Orange County? This guide covers everything you need to know about the most prestigious private country clubs in the region, including initiation fees, monthly dues, real estate options, and exclusive access opportunities through The Steijn Group.
1. Dove Canyon Golf Club
Location: Trabuco Canyon Course: 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature design, challenging with canyon and lake views. Membership: • Full Golf: $30,000 initiation | $13,440/year • Executive: $15,000 initiation | $8,340/year Amenities: Pool, tennis, clubhouse dining, events Real Estate: Dove Canyon is a guard-gated community with custom estates and semi- custom homes built around the course. Many homes have panoramic golf and canyon views. Home prices range from S1.5M to $4M, with architecture featuring Mediterranean, Craftsman, and traditional styles.
2. Marbella Country Club (Waitlisted)
Location: San Juan Capistrano Course: 18-hole Jay Morrish & Tom Weiskopf design, known for its lush fairways and mature trees. Membership: • Regular: ~$45,000 initiation | ~$1,700/month • Junior Executive: ~$20,000 initiation | ~$700/month Amenities: Grand clubhouse, tennis, fitness, Jr. Olympic pool Real Estate: The Marbella Estates & Villas neighborhood features gated luxury homes, many with golf course frontage. Homes range from 2,800 to 10,000+ sq ft, with Tuscan, Mediterranean, and modern-traditional styles. Prices typically range from $1.8M to over $6M. The neighborhood is upscale, private, and walkable to the clubhouse.
3. Mission Viejo Country Club (Waitlisted)
Location: Mission Viejo Course: 18-hole traditional-style championship course Membership: Equity: $75,000 initiation | ~$1,800/month Amenities: Tennis, pickleball, pool, gym, social events Real Estate: Adjacent to the club are the Andalusia and La Mancha communities, along with custom homes overlooking the fairways. While not fully gated, it features established neighborhoods with mature landscaping and rolling hills. Homes range from S1M-$2.5M+.
4. El Niguel Country Club
Location: Laguna Niguel Course: 18-hole, parkland-style layout with wide fairways and pristine conditions. Membership: Equity: $250K-$300K initiation | $3,000-$4,000/month| Amenities: Clubhouse, practice facilities, events Real Estate: Nestled in a prestigious area of Laguna Niguel, homes in the Foxborough, Links Pointe, and Niguel Country Estates neighborhoods surround the course. These are mostly custom or semi-custom homes, many with golf views. Price range: $1.5M-S5M+. Mature trees, coastal breezes, and quiet cul-de-sacs define this neighborhood.
5. Newport Beach Country Club
Location: Newport Beach Course: 18-hole championship layout hosting the Hoag Classic (PGA Champions Tour). Membership: Full Golf: $100K-$150K initiation | S10K-$15K annually Amenities: 65,000 sq. ft. modern clubhouse, pool, gym, fine dining Real Estate: Surrounded by Eastbluff, Harbor Cove, and Big Canyon Villas, this coastal area offers both lock-and-leave townhomes and expansive view estates. Homes range from the $1.5M townhomes to $10M+ estates just minutes from Fashion Island and the beach.
6. Big Canyon Country Club (Invite Only)
Location: Newport Beach Course: 18-hole Robert Muir Graves design, extremely exclusive with limited tee times. Membership: Equity Membership: -$300K initiation | -$1,640/month Note: Membership is by invitation only and requires sponsorship from existing members. Amenities: Fine dining, fitness center, tennis courts, active calendar of events Real Estate: The Big Canyon gated community features luxury custom estates, many directly on the course, with dramatic fairway, lake, and skyline views. Mediterranean and contemporary styles dominate. Homes range from $3M to $20M+. Residents enjoy golf cart access and elite privacy behind 24/7 guarded gates.
7. Shady Canyon Golf Club (Invite Only)
Location: Irvine Course: Tom Fazio-designed, 18-hole private sanctuary with rugged natural surroundings. Membership: Full Golf: $250K+ initiation | ~$3,300/month| Note: Membership is by invitation only and requires sponsorship from current members. Amenities: Ultra-luxury clubhouse, spa, tennis, concierge-style service Real Estate: Shady Canyon is one of Irvine's most exclusive gated communities, with custom estates ranging from $5M to over $30M. Tuscan villas, Andalusian mansions, and ultra- modern compounds span lots up to 2 acres, many overlooking the canyon and course. A-list privacy, 24/7 security, and access to award-winning Irvine schools.
8. Aliso Viejo Country Club
Location: Aliso Viejo
Course: 18-hole Jack Nicklaus-designed layout with elevation changes and mountain views.
Membership:
• Full Golf: $10,000 initiation | $750/month
• Junior Executive: $7,500 initiation | $550/month Amenities: Clubhouse dining, fitness center, social events Note: There is no driving range at this course, only a small netted hitting area. Real Estate: The surrounding neighborhoods are comprised of townhomes, detached homes, and gated enclaves like Vista Vallarta and Glenwood. Homes often feature Tuscan or Spanish architectural influences, with pricing ranging from the $800Ks to over $2 million. Properties are typically low-maintenance and appeal to families and professionals.
Conclusion
At The Steijn Group, we have well-established connections at nearly every private golf club in South Orange County. Our relationships allow us to facilitate introductions, expedite membership applications, and provide our clients exclusive access to some of the most desirable and often waitlisted country clubs in the region. Whether you're looking to become a member or purchase a home within these exclusive communities, we can often pull strings to help our clients get to the top of a waitlist, secure off-market homes, or navigate a seamless introduction to the club. Your lifestyle upgrade starts here. Contact us today to get started.
